Thursday

Oct 30, 2008 at 3:15 AM

Lebanon firefighters recently gathered at the East Lebanon Station for a special ceremony to honor one of their own, firefighter Tim Jackson.

Jackson, 45, who was deployed to Afghanistan back in August, is serving with the Air National Guard 157th Security Forces at Bagram Air Force Base in Afghanistan. He is a technical sergeant and is expected to be in Afghanistan for at least 6 months.

Before his flight to the Middle East, Jackson spent two weeks in training at Fort Bliss, Texas.

Jackson joined the Lebanon Fire Department about a year ago, and the department wanted to recognize him for his service abroad. Jackson's wife, Ann, and their son, Tim, Jr., were on hand for the special flag-raising ceremony.

In the light of the moon — and with a little assistance from two high-powered fire lights — Jackson's son climbed a fire ladder leaned against the station and hung a special flag in his father's honor. The flag, which has a single blue star against a white background, symbolizes that the firefighters has one of their own serving aboard in harm's way.

Jackson and his wife live on Martin Lane in Lebanon. Ann Jackson said that her husband would love to get email from friends and folks back home. If you would like to drop Jackson an email, please write to timothy.b.jacksonafghan.swa.army.mil.

Details on Ballot Questions Now Available Online

This Tuesday, Nov. 4, all Maine voters will have three ballot questions before them — a people's veto, a citizen initiative and a bond question.

On the Secretary of State's link on the state's website at www.maine.gov, voters can find the "Citizen's Guide to the Referendum Election." This guide contains the actual statutory changes that would take effect if the questions pass, as well as the financial impact.

The questions will appear on the ballot as follows:

q Question 1: People's Veto

Do you want to reject the parts of a new law that change the method of funding Maine's Dirigo Health Program through charging health insurance companies a fixed fee on paid claims and adding taxes to malt liquor, wine and soft drinks?

q Question 2: Citizen Initiative

Do you want to allow a certain Maine company to have the only casino in Maine, to be located in Oxford County, if part of the revenue is used to fund specific state programs?

q Question 3: Bond Issue

Do you favor a $3,400,000 bond issue to support drinking water programs, to support the construction of wastewater treatment facilities and to leverage $17,000,000 in other funds?

CHECKING IN WITH THE American Legion

q Lebanon's American Legion Post 214 has just received a major donation from a supportive, local business, Profile Stateline.

Moe Roy, of Profile Stateline Super Store, recently met with Rene Doiron and Jim Cray of Lebanon's American Legion to donate a 25-foot, two-axle camper trailer. The local American Legion had been looking for such a trailer to convert to a chuck wagon to bring to fairs and other events to raise money for the post.

The post's commander called the donation "generous."

The Legion hopes to have the trailer converted and functional by springtime and plans to use it for a wide variety of community fundraising events.

Buy a calendar for the month of January for $10 and have 31 chances to win daily prize drawings. Some of the prizes are: grocery gift cards; gas cards; restaurant gift cards; butcher shop gift cards; and much more.

To purchase one of these calendars and to help your local American Legion, please contact either Rene Doiron at 457-2146 or Jim Cray at 457-1450.

q Lebanon's American Legion Post 214 welcomes the public to this year's Veterans Day ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at the Hanson School gymnasium at 6 p.m.

Rolling Thunder's Maine Chapter 2 will be on hand at this year's function. Lt. Commander David Billings, of Kennebunkport, will be the guest speaker.

There also will be historical information available for people to peruse. Refreshments also will be served.

TIME TO FILL THOSE THANKSGIVING BASKETS

The Lebanon Town Office is collecting nonperishable Thanksgiving food items for its annual Thanksgiving baskets.

You can drop off your donation at the town office. The deadline for donations is Nov. 20.

For more information, please call 608-6862.

GIFT CARD LAW IS CHANGING

Rep. Joan Nass, of Acton, reminds residents of a change in the law regarding gift card purchases.

Beginning Nov. 1, a change will take place regarding gift card balances. If any gift card is redeemed in person as part of a purchase and a balance of less than $5 remains following redemption, the merchant redeeming the gift card must refund the balance in cash upon the consumer's request.

This new law does not apply to pre-funded bank cards.

Back to the 80s

Noble High School's music department is presenting "Back to the 80s: The Totally Awesome Musical" on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 7 and 8, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 9, at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets are $8 and will be available at the door.

Hungry for Ham and beans?

Riverside Grange 475 will hold a ham and bean supper at the Grange Hall on Little River Road on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The cost is $6 per person.

Proceeds will benefit the grange's community service projects.

Rabies clinic set for next weekend

The Wells Veterinary Clinic will sponsor a rabies clinic on Sunday, Nov. 9, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lebanon Fire Station on Depot Road.

Rabies shots are $10 and a microchip is $25.

Lebanon's town clerk will be present with Lebanon dog licenses for the 2009 year. Licenses are $6 for neutered and spaded pets and $11 for the rest.

Local crafters needed

The PTO is sponsoring a craft fair on Saturday, Dec 6, in the Hanson School's gym from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Crafters can rent a space for $15.

Contact Heidi Sirois for information at 457-3993.

College representatives coming to NOBLE HIGH SCHOOL

Representatives from the following post-secondary institutions will be visiting Noble High School on the following dates:

q Oct. 31: Daniel Webster College and Springfield College

q Nov. 3: Thomas College

q Nov. 5: St. Joseph's College

q Nov. 6: University of Southern Maine School calendar

SCHOOL CALENDAR

Thursday, Nov. 6: Parent-teacher conferences will be held at Noble High School from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m.

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